Editor Doug Hanes works on the latest Mountain Time Media documentary short film, 'Return To Pearl.'

BEHIND-THE-SCENES OF RETURN TO PEARL

It is one thing to tell a story, but completely different to show a story.

For the last few weeks, I’ve watched over editing sessions for the making of Mountain Time Media’s upcoming documentary short film Return to Pearl. Although I wasn’t part of the team as an intern for the on-location production of the film, I’ve reallly enjoyed watching the piece come together.

While I’ve had to produce short videos for my journalism classes back at Mizzou, I’ve never witnessed anything to this degree. I never really understood how much work is involved with short films and post-production until I sat back and observed. I watched editor Doug Hanes work and tweak just one subtitle graphic for at least an hour – to make sure it was perfect. That’s what I love about this industry – you don’t stop until it’s perfect. Every subtitle, transition and scene must fit perfect to the music, interview and picture. It’s an endless puzzle that must be solved.

There is so much research, fact checking and effort put into making any film. No matter the obstacle, the film has to be completed. Many times, Doug would explain to me what each click meant on the AVID editing system, and helped me learn more about the post-production stage of a film.

I loved seeing the behind-the-scenes versions of Return To Pearl and learned how the journalism world works. After many frustrations, I watched this film come together, literally by the click of (a few) buttons.

We're really happy to welcome Mizzou junior Kasia Kerridge to the Mountain Time Media team as an intern this summer! She'll be blogging throughout the next couple of months, sharing her experiences and the things she'll be working on as she gains experience in her upcoming career in broadcast journalism. Please welcome Kasia to the Mountain Time Media team!

[... and we screwed up pronouncing her name for months. Thank goodness she corrected us: it isn't ka-SEE-uh... but CAWSH-uh. Doh!]

KASIA KERRIDGE - BLOG POST #1

Hello everyone - My name is Kasia Kerridge, a junior at the University of Missouri studying broadcast journalism. I am originally from Highlands Ranch and am so happy to join the team this summer. Today marks the end of my first week into my internship with Mountain Time Media. This past Thursday, I shadowed the team on my first on-location story assignment and learned about some of the newest hospital technology.

One of P/SL's da Vinci robots. Each surgical robotic system costs about $2 million.

What made this a special and unique story was the doctor-patient relationship and what brought them together: the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. It’s a computer-enhanced system that allows for extremely delicate surgery with small incisions. It’s basically a $2 million octopus-looking robot. We met Dr. Anthony J Canfield of Presbyterian/ St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. Canfield served 16 years in the United States Army, while his patient - Steven Johnson – served in the United States Navy for 25 years.

Johnson was a frustrated patient when he met Canfield earlier this year after six failed hernia surgeries. He had almost given up hope when he discovered the robot and its amazing capabilities.

Doctors obviously try to take care of as many patients as possible – but there is a special connection when both the doctor and patient are veterans. Canfield admitted he has a soft spot for veteran patients.

“I’m really proud to take care of our servicemen, their dependents and active duty troops,” said Canfield.

Johnson agreed when he said, “We are one team, one country,” after Canfield successfully performed Johnson’s seventh hernia surgery. A week later, Johnson rode 53 miles on his bike, pain-free.

While Canfield is confident Johnson will not get another hernia, both veterans found a special connection through the robotic surgery. To hear the story, tune into The American Veteran Show – it’ll air mid June. - Kasia

On behalf of our team, we hope you can see the film during its world broadcast premiere!

ONE OF THE GREATEST THINGS WE CAN DO FOR SOMEONE - AND OURSELVES - IS TO SHOW APPRECIATION AND GIVE THANKS.

WHEN YOU HAVE A "PUBLIC" JOB...

... as in an on-air media position - you wonder sometimes about a few, consistent things.

The profession can be amazingly positive and ego-boosting - "You're great!" "Oh, I listen every day!" "I love what you do for our veterans." "You're funny." - etc.

The business can also play (and prey) on your insecurities.

"Are people listening?" "Did I make sense?" "Am I doing the story justice?" "Did I get it right?" "Will anyone care?" [For the record, TV folks have it much worse, for obvious reasons.]

I'd be lying to you - and myself - if I didn't admit that I wonder at times (sometimes even a few times a week since starting The American Veteran Show) if people are listening. I've even found myself getting critical at times - for no good reason - wondering: "If they are listening, are they truly understanding why it's important to do this program?" I'm able to quickly snap out of my stupidity and self-questioning and move on to the next great show topic or interview. Now, it's likely you have listened at least once or you wouldn't be reading this and for that, I am more than appreciative.

The stories we have captured and presented on the program to date have been terrific, and I vow that high-bar will continue to push me and our team in the content we produce on a weekly basis.

Even in just the first few months of our interviews, there have been simply incredible individuals who have taken the time be on the program. I will always remember - and I've interviewed thousands and thousands of folks over 26+ years of news - 93-year old Dr. Jacob Eisenbach. I mean, how can you ever forget the eloquent, heart-wrenching words of a holocaust survivor? If you haven't heard him, click here NOW: AVS SHOW 9, segments 2 & 3.

The American Veteran Showis produced for the men and women of every generation who have taken the oath to protect and defend our Constitution, wear the uniform, and believe in our nation. The show is produced for people like Dr. Eisenbach to tell their stories in an extended format we can provide. The show is produced for our active-duty military. The show is produced for the military families few people talk or even think about. The show is produced for YOU.

I think as we head toward an even bigger platform for the program in the months ahead, I'll work on getting over my insecurities of wondering who is actually listening. The truth is, if a particular guest, segment or show can inspire, inject some thought or even make someone that much more appreciative of our military - I think we've done our job for that week.

WHY DO THE AMERICAN VETERAN SHOW?

Welcome to the first 'blog' entry and thank you for stopping by. I hope you not only explore this website - AND LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES! - but that you enjoy our weekly program dedicated to active duty military and our nation's veterans.

I'm Steffan Tubbs - and I'm honored to put together and host our show every week - along with the input and production expertise of our creative director, Alan Jackson.

The idea to create The American Veteran Show only came about in January of this year. I was just too busy in other areas of military and veteran support to even remotely think about forming the idea, pitching it to the bosses, waiting for approval, finding a station/s and broadcast time, creating a website, getting my Mountain Time Media team on board and then actually committing to producing a weekly program on deadline. But the time was right. I should've started this show when I came back to Denver in 2005, but alas - it was at least this year.

On average, it takes a good 15-20 hours per week to produce the show from scratch. We strive to make The American Veteran Show a network-quality program, and I am confident we have done that from the very first episode, February 5, 2017.

We've had simply amazing guests, show topics and events to highlight. I'm particularly proud of our recent 'VE Day' 72nd anniversary segment - with me in Reims, France. The use of old newsreel audio - from Churchill to Patton, King George VI to Truman - was a history lesson for me... and I hope our audience. If you missed that episode, it is on the past shows tab - and aired the weekend of May 6/7, 2017.

I also want the program to be interactive - meaning you can easily have input and a say in what we cover. I welcome suggested veterans to interview, events to highlight, topics to discuss and military-connected non-profits and causes to showcase.

Particularly to our veterans and military families: I want you to know there are people in the media that truly DO care about the issues impacting you and yours - and I hope this show can in some way assist, guide and even serve as a support mechanism should you need it.

We welcome and encourage your ideas, comments, questions, suggestions - and even criticism should it be warranted. You can email us any time: info@americanveteranshow.com

I personally guarantee we will read your communication and respond, usually within 24 hours. While I cannot guarantee every idea or suggested interview will make the program, please know each will be given serious consideration.

Thank you for reading this first entry, and please help us help the cause by helping us! How? Tell someone about The American Veteran Show. Encourage them to at least give it a try and if they learn something, great. If not, I bet it's still an interesting, quick hour. I'd also encourage parents to listen with their kids - or if mornings aren't their (or your) thing, catch us on-line. We try to post the prior show by Tuesday of every week... though I admit, sometimes it has been later than that due to scheduling.

I'd also encourage you to support our sponsors - this show is not free for me or my production company to produce every week - and finding advertisers has unfortunately been a slow and difficult process for the most part. Those sponsors who are on the show are great people and have similar feelings of respect and support toward our men and women, both in and out of uniform. Please see who these businesses are, tell them you heard them on the show - and if you can - take part in what they do or sell. If you'd like more on how your business, group, cause, company, etc. can be on the air with us - we're an email away.

Again, thank you for your support and/or interest. And if you had to ask yourself the question in this blog's title - Why Do This Program? - now, I think you know.